The PinePhone could bring the Linux mobile ecosystem to life

The reason for the attention comes down to the point that, unlike most phones that might support some form of Linux because that support has been hacked in, the Linux on the PinePhone takes center stage. Mobile variants of Linux based on KDE and GNOME-nothing against KDE, but I operate a GNOME household-seemed a bit poorly matched to the hardware to me, with the preinstalled KDE-based version of Manjaro, called Plasma Mobile. One nice thing about the PinePhone is that it promises a second look at mobile operating systems that didn't get much love the first time-and in that light, Ubuntu Touch. A minimalist approach to mobile operating systems built around a simple, middle-of-the-screen navigation interface that is operated using the volume and power buttons. What the PinePhone represents is a very solid reference system for development of mobile operating systems, rather than something that's a head-turner on its own. These discussions also happen in the desktop Linux space; it's almost refreshing to see them in mobile after years of two operating systems driving every argument. As for the device that is driving the discussion around mobile Linux, the PinePhone can be had for less than $200, which opens up lots of room for a developer community to build onto.